From studying for the SAT to filling out job applications and exploring countless other options, high school juniors and seniors are busy preparing to enter the real world. The transition to adulthood forces students to face choices that can cause them to feel anxious, sad or confused. During this period, it is easy to misread depression as normal turmoil, however, symptoms of depression can be serious and are known risk factors for suicide. So before students dawn their caps and gowns, it is important to check up on their emotional well-being. Screening for Mental Health® is offering two programs to help support students during this time.
The SOS Signs of Suicide® Booster program serves as a refresher course for students preparing for graduation and teaches older teens how to identify and respond to depression and potential suicidality in themselves or a friend. The Booster Kit includes screening forms, parent and student resources, implementation guide, as well as a new DVD. The original SOS program encourages help-seeking through the use of the ACT® technique – Acknowledge the problem, let your friend know you Care, and Tell a trusted adult. The Booster program graduates the ACT technique by replacing the Tell with Treatment. Through the program, students become familiar with college and community-based mental health services.
The Signs of Self-Injury Prevention Program is available for high school students and is designed to address the problem of self-injury through the school environment. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) includes cutting, burning, hair-pulling, scratching and hitting. The Signs of Self-Injury Prevention program is based on the same model used to develop the SOS program and uses the same principles of modeling to teach youth to recognize the signs of distress in either themselves or a friend. A recent study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence indicated that students who participated in the Signs of Self-Injury Prevention program gained increased, accurate knowledge of self-injury and showed improved help-seeking attitudes and intentions.
Both kits include a DVD portraying individuals sharing their real life experiences with depression.
Watch the video trailer for the new SOS Booster Kit DVD.
Watch the video trailer for the Signs of Self-Injury DVD.
For more information, go to https://gold-barracuda-130963.hostingersite.com/programs/youth-prevention-programs or call (781) 239-0071.